What can you tell me about Spirit Airlines..

[S'sMom]

I just jumped on the deal for a one way from MCO-DFW for 4 tickets with the $50 off code. I just could not pass it up. The plan is to drive one way and fly back. We will see how that pans out.

I have never flown Spirit and I am hoping that is it decent enough. We normally fly AirTran(no longer out of DFW) and American, and have had decent experiences on both. No negative experiences thankfully. I understand that I am not expecting first class service, I just want a safe flight with minimal issues. If that exists.

Any information would be great!

Raquel

 

[AR81]

When are you going? We are also from Dallas and have been researching different vacation packages through bookit.com and other sites. To get the cheapest the flights are always through spirit.. Makes me kinda nervous.. lol. What deal are you talking about--50$ off? We will more than likely be going the first week of June...

 

[S'sMom]

When are you going? We are also from Dallas and have been researching different vacation packages through bookit.com and other sites. To get the cheapest the flights are always through spirit.. Makes me kinda nervous.. lol. What deal are you talking about--50$ off? We will more than likely be going the first week of June...

We will be on vacation from the 8-17, but the plan is to drive there (Florida) and fly back from MCO June 17 (that is what I purchased for). It is available for any of the dates in June from what I can see (one way or round trip). I have booked through bookit one time but for the west coast (never for Florida, yet).

Yes you are so right the cheapest fllight are on Spirit from DFW, and trust me I am also a bit nervous LOL , mostly because I am just used to AirTran and American.

Here is the link to the Spirit $50off promotion : http://marketing.spirit.com/traveldeals/air.php?s=820&mw=1 Today is the last day for the promotion. I am sure that it will come up again, I hope. Just in case we need to purchase airfare going to MCO.

I thought that it would take the $50 off of the entire purchase, but it did end up being per ticket ($200). I did pay to choose the seats but I did not pay for luggage as I can not predict what luggage we will have. There is only one time on the way back (8:00 PM), but that is ok. There is 4 of us flying.

With the code the price went from $69 to $44 each way (plus any fees, etc). If you go during the week, the cost is about $24 before fees, taxes, etc.

 

[TwistGrl101]

We flew Spirit last summer, and DH had a panic attack the way home because the plane was so dirty and so packed (there is no legroom between seats.)
Also, even though they are cheap to book, they get you everywhere else (to choose your seats in advance there is a fee, to check a bag over 40 lbs. there is a fee, to order a drink or snack on the plane, there is a fee.)

Now, I'm easygoing, and honestly it was cheap to get from point A to point B, but if you're a perfectionist/neat freak like DH, you may regret your decision!

 

[S'sMom]

We flew Spirit last summer, and DH had a panic attack the way home because the plane was so dirty and so packed (there is no legroom between seats.)
Also, even though they are cheap to book, they get you everywhere else (to choose your seats in advance there is a fee, to check a bag over 40 lbs. there is a fee, to order a drink or snack on the plane, there is a fee.)

Now, I'm easygoing, and honestly it was cheap to get from point A to point B, but if you're a perfectionist/neat freak like DH, you may regret your decision!

Thanks so much for this. I am pretty easy going as well, and nothing gets me upset too much. But my main concern is the the safety. But I am glad to know the other information. So I will be bringing some clorox wipes, my own snacks for the kids (I never eat or drink on a flight), and do not carry/check more than one or two bags. Got it! I did pay for the seats, but that did not bother me too much because I have my 3 year old who is a tad bit active. I am guessing I could have held out for my 9 year old and dh, but I went ahead and did it anyway. Wow!!

If it were not for American being so expensive, and AirTran being taken over by Southwest, I would have other options. Southwest flies from DAL, but there is a layover involved, and I can not choose my seats. They are perfect when I fly by myself and with dh. Hopefully, more choices will be available soon. Maybe we might get JetBlue, or Virgin America to start some routes non-stop to MCO from DFW.

 

[AR81]

Just curious about your plan to drive there, what kind of deal can you get on a rental car going one way that far of a distance? I have never considered that and curious about what something like that would cost. Surely they would charge extra or differently for that type of trip if you are renting a car in one state and leaving it in another?

 

[S'sMom]

Just curious about your plan to drive there, what kind of deal can you get on a rental car going one way that far of a distance? I have never considered that and curious about what something like that would cost. Surely they would charge extra or differently for that type of trip if you are renting a car in one state and leaving it in another?

That is correct there is a bit of an extra charge. This will be our first time driving, so according to some friends, it is a pretty easy scenic route to take. I was able to reserve Hertz (one way) for $620 with a coupon code for a Toyota Camry Hybrid for 7 days. Now strange enough, I will be dropping the car off at MCO on the 14th, so that we can then change cars to Enterprise (great rates using our Costco membership for those 3 days, so we essentially will save money instead of keeping it the entire time).

Hmm. I wonder if I can do the drop off closer to Disney. I will have to check on that one.

Of course, I am going to always be on the lookout for something cheaper. In the past, I have seen the deals on the one way rentals, as long as you are coming from a needed market, but we wont know what those are just yet. I am going to be on the lookout just in case something cheaper comes out. The reason for driving (for us) is to see the sights (I love plantations, and different things) so with a stop in Baton Rouge to see dh parents, we can proceed so that we can make it to Vero Beach DVC by the 10th of June. I have not started the route planning, etc because it will be from Baton Rouge to Vero Beach but I will start that soon. No planning needed from Dallas to Baton Rouge.

After it is all said and done, we will see how the planning goes and whether or not the transportation plans make a change.

 

[Orlando Vic]

Like Ryanair, they don't have the best reputation for customer service http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-eliminates-its-customer-service-department/

 

[S'sMom]

Like Ryanair, they don't have the best reputation for customer service http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-eliminates-its-customer-service-department/

This is sad. Smh. I can't change it now but at least it's only one way. Yikes. Smh. It's sad all around.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

If you want to get there safely and inexpensively, you will...Spirit is a no frills airlines with many extra fees, but if you are prepared and do not expect First Class - you will be fine. We fly Spirit all the time and have never had an issue.

 

[AR81]

Can someone explain to me the fee that goes along with seating assignment? So to guarantee you sit together with your family you have to pay for seating assignments? But if you have young children surely they would sit at least one adult with each child right without paying the seating assignment fees right?

 

[ccgirl]

Can someone explain to me the fee that goes along with seating assignment? So to guarantee you sit together with your family you have to pay for seating assignments? But if you have young children surely they would sit at least one adult with each child right without paying the seating assignment fees right?

No, they will not. That is why you pay for a seat assignment. Most people want to sit next to somone. If that is important to you, pay for the seat assignment. Say, you don't pay the seat assignment and only middle seats are left. Do you really think they should make others move who have paid for seat assignments to accommodate you when you choose not to pay for it?

To others: remember they also charge for carry on bags as well.

Here are the fees. They do allow for one personal item that fits under the seat. But, if you have a purse and a laptop bag you will be charged for one of them.
Remember, we always provide one personal item free of charge per customer. Personal items (e.g. purse, small backpack, briefcase, etc.) must fit underneath the seat, so the dimensions must not exceed 16 x 14 x 12 inches (40 x 35 x 30 cm).



If you wait until you check in:
All Customers - Reservation Center purchase Domestic International
Carry-On Bag $35 $35
First Checked Bag $33 $38
Second Checked Bag $40 $45
Third, Fourth, Fifth Checked Bag $90 $95

Seat Fees
Spirit Assigned Seating at Check-In Free
Customer-Requested Seat Assignments / Deluxe Leather $1.00 to $50.00 per seat
Big Front Seats (in advance) $12.00 to $199.00 per seat
Big Front Seats (onboard upgrades—depending on flight length) $25.00 to $75.00 per seat

Onboard Snacks and Drinks
Snacks $1.00 to $10.00
Drinks $1.00 to $15.00

Overweight Baggage
41 – 50 lbs. (18 – 23 kg) $25.00 per bag
51 – 70 lbs. (23 - 32 kg) $50.00 per bag
71 – 99 lbs. (32 - 45 kg) $100.00 per bag
Oversize Baggage
More than 62 linear inches (158 cm) $100.00 per bag
More than 80 linear inches (203 cm)

 

[AR81]

Ok Thanks for the info. I wasn't saying that I would anyone that paid for the seats to switch with me I just thought that small children and parent considerations would be how they assigned seating. I guess not. If I end up using them, then I will definitely do the requested seating.

 

[dgr1973]

My dh and I flew with Spirit last July when we went to Vegas and honestly I would not hesitate to fly with them again! I had myself all in a panic from reviews I read but it was fine. My hubby thinks there is no legroom but he is 6 feet tall and I am only 5 feet but it didnt seem any different from any other airbus we have been on. Yes they charge you if you want to pick your seats ahead of time but we didnt and we sat together no problem. I dont like that they charge for carryons but really I have no complaints!

 

[keishashadow]

I posted on another thread today that I was disappointed with my 1st spirit experience this summer.

We had a 12 pm flight out of LBE to Myrtle Beach. It was delayed twice due to two separate equipment issues on different planes. We finally were cleared thru security @ 6 pm. Right afterwards they cancelled the next flight out to FLL that was supposed to originally leave near the same time we did. I felt bad as several people were set to leave on cruises the next day and Spirit knew had no service scheduled for another 2 days. jmho i'd check to make sure they multiple flights out to your destination or at least daily flights before booking.

I did book the extra leg room seats and was happy enough with the condition of the plane but the nuisance fees are out of this world.

 

[wcw57]

Spirit is BY FAR the worst airline I have ever used (and I'm pretty old and travel quite a bit)....heck, I even flew Eastern

The attendants were rude/useless and there were other issues which are too numerous to mention (having to do with fog-related delays).

If the tickets were $25 I would not use them

That's mah humble opinion and ahm a-stickin' by it!

 

[ccgirl]

Ok Thanks for the info. I wasn't saying that I would anyone that paid for the seats to switch with me I just thought that small children and parent considerations would be how they assigned seating. I guess not. If I end up using them, then I will definitely do the requested seating.

If you do not pay for seats, you have your choice of seats that have not been pre-purchased. Often, that is just middle seats or single seats scattered thoughout the plane.

 

[MichelleVW]

Spirit is BY FAR the worst airline I have ever used (and I'm pretty old and travel quite a bit)....heck, I even flew Eastern

The attendants were rude/useless and there were other issues which are too numerous to mention (having to do with fog-related delays).

If the tickets were $25 I would not use them

That's mah humble opinion and ahm a-stickin' by it!

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. We flew Spirit to Vegas in November and our flight attendants were very friendly.

I will fly them again in a heartbeat if the price is right!

 

[KelnRon]

We fly Spirit at least once a year and 99% of the time with our 4 children ages 2-14. Never one time have we ever been seperated and we have never paid for seats. If worried just check in a little earlier and you will be fine!

 

[FergieTCat]

I just flew Spirit this past weekend from New York to Fort Lauderdale.

I was able to pack everything in a backpack, so I didn't pay for luggage space, but I did pay extra for the "Big Front Seat" ($40 each way). If I were to fly Spirit again, I would only fly it if that seat were available. The seats behind me were VERY CLOSE TOGETHER and there didn't appear to be any leg room. Other than that, I had two perfect flights. The plane was clean and the flight attendants were friendly.

Even paying extra for the seat, and if I had paid for a carryon, the flight still would have been $200 cheaper than JetBlue for the same weekend.